United Methodists and same-sex ethics forum (video)
Hi Dojo readers,
Before I left for India, I had the honor of participating in a forum discussion hosted by Davidson UMC just north of Charlotte on the subject of same-sex ethics and the United Methodist Church. I was very grateful to have been invited, and I was representing the current position that the UMC holds on the subject, which I believe to be the most Biblically faithful and grace-filled position of any mainline denomination in this country. (Readers unfamiliar with the current UMC position can find it summarized at http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-the-denominations-position-on-homosexuality). The forum was very well-moderated and Davidson UMC did a great job hosting it.
As our denomination continues to hold the line on this issue, it is important that orthodox historical Christian approaches be given a voice at the table. Currently, there are a number of advocacy groups and even Bishops who are pressuring the church to adopt a revisionist approach like other mainline denominations such as the UCC and PCUSA have embraced. Those of us who see what’s happened to those denominations which have abandoned the historic New Testament sexual ethic of celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in male-female marriage–and who don’t want to see our own denomination head down that same path toward cultural irrelevance (despite Rob Bell’s warning to the contrary!)–are often underrepresented in such discussions. So I am thankful to have been able to participate in this one.
Here is video of the forum. Regardless of your position, if you are interested in the future of Methodism as it pertains to the topic of sexual ethics and inclusiveness, please watch and share this post with your Pastor, District Superintendent, Lay Leaders and Bishop.
Part 1 – http://www.davidsonumc.org/files/2314/2446/5622/Forum_Part_1_qtp.mp4
Part 2 – http://www.davidsonumc.org/files/7314/2446/6506/Forum_Pt_2_qtp.mp4
Part 3 – http://www.davidsonumc.org/files/3914/2446/6601/Forum_3_qtp.mp4
Categories: Biblical Scholarship, Biblical Theology, Blog, Church History, Ministry, Political/Social issues, Relationships, Theological issues
Thanks for sharing this. I thought the respectful tone of the conversation was important. And I really appreciated the care and thoughtfulness that you handled scripture in sharing what you think.
by Jason Sansbury on Mar 10, 2015 at 10:55 pm
[…] so many are wanting to figure out how to navigate these waters of inclusion in the church Davidson UMC put forth a ‘sex forum’. James-Michael Smith (Disciple Dojo) spoke to the s…. There are three videos to view in their sex forum. If you want to hear as many vantage point in […]
by Inclusion, Exclusion, Homosexuality, Craddock, Resurrection & Class Meetings | Top Posts - the MethoBlog on Mar 11, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Just finished the first segment. I must commend your opening remarks which presented the hard truth in such a tactful and gracious manner. I felt sorry for DF for she did not recognize that when one’s life is in disharmony with one’s own biology that neither the problem nor the solution will be found in the unconditional acceptance or not by others. The disharmony will remain and all the internal conflicts will continue.
by David Battle on Mar 13, 2015 at 5:17 pm